Back Child-Support Sweep Nets 17 Arrests

More than a dozen parents owing back child-support payments were arrested Thursday by Ventura County district attorney’s investigators.

Investigators arrested 17 people in Ventura and Los Angeles counties on charges of failure to provide child support and criminal and civil contempt.

At least two others turned themselves in to authorities by the end of the day.

Total child-support payments owed by the 19 parents is more than $257,000. Amounts owed ranged from $1,406 to the $51,001 allegedly owed by Pete Gonzalez, 37, of Los Angeles, and the $27,559 allegedly owed by Charles D. Freeman, 39, of Simi Valley.

“Operation Back to School” began at 7 a.m. when 20 investigators fanned out throughout the two counties to serve about 50 arrest warrants for child support-related violations.

Individuals with outstanding arrest warrants related to child support matters may avoid arrest by contacting investigators of the Ventura County district attorney’s Child Support Division at (805) 654-5548.